2025 Toyota Camry vs 2024 Nissan Sentra

The 2024 Nissan Sentra underwent a styling update that enhanced its visual appeal. The wider grille seamlessly blended with the headlights, which featured black interior bezel elements, and chrome trim adorned the edges. Vertical elements resembling air vents were positioned at the front fascia's edges, creating a broader appearance. The Sentra's design philosophy embraced the "longer, lower, wider" automotive styling maxim, resulting in a small sedan that balanced flair and sophistication. The Sentra's lineup remained unchanged from 2023, with S, SV, and SR grades. The SR trim, in particular, stood out with 18-inch wheels, darkened chrome trim, and a reshaped lower rear fascia. Inside, the Sentra featured large round air vents inspired by the Z sports car, a plunging dashboard, and red-orange accent stitching on SR models. Material quality was typical for an entry-level car, but the distinctive design elements added character.

The 2025 Toyota Camry showcased a redesigned front end, exuding a cohesive and business-like appearance. Echoes of the new Prius and a resemblance to the Lexus spindle grille were evident, with Toyota referring to it as the "hammerhead front face." LED headlights and daytime running lights were standard, contributing to the Camry's assertive look. The profile remained largely unchanged, but the rear window surround extended further into the sail panel, emphasizing the coupe-like roof. The Camry offered a range of trims, with the base LE featuring 16-inch alloy wheels, while SE and XLE trims sported black 18-inch wheels. The sporty XSE trim boasted 19-inch wheels in black and Smoke Gray. The interior saw a departure from its predecessor, with a new dash layout and a center touchscreen housing that flowed across the passenger's side. While the quilted Dinamica microfiber in the XLE test car raised concerns about cleanliness, the overall design aimed to minimize smudges and dust.

The 2024 Nissan Sentra focused on efficiency rather than performance, offering a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 149 horsepower and 146 pound-feet of torque. It featured front-wheel drive and a continuously variable transmission (CVT) that was reengineered for improved fuel efficiency and smoother operation. An engine start-stop system was added to enhance mpg. Despite its efficiency focus, the Sentra provided a pleasant driving experience with responsive steering and a laid-back suspension. However, the updated CVT exhibited an unexpected surge of acceleration at around 45 mph, though this might differ in production models.

The 2025 Toyota Camry embraced hybrid technology, offering a fifth-generation hybrid system with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and electric motors. Front-wheel-drive models featured two electric motors, producing a total of 225 horsepower, while all-wheel-drive models had three motors, generating 232 horsepower. The electronic AWD system provided extra traction with minimal impact on fuel economy, estimated at 50 mpg combined for AWD models. The Camry's hybrid system seamlessly switched between gas and electric power, though engine noise was noticeable at higher speeds. The braking system felt normal, and the hybrid system operated in the background, with an EV mode available for speeds under 25 mph.

The 2024 Nissan Sentra offered decent interior space, particularly in the front row. First-row headroom was comparable to the Kia Forte and Mazda 3, while front-seat legroom surpassed rivals like the Honda Civic and Hyundai Elantra. However, rear-seat legroom was less generous. The Sentra featured Nissan's Zero Gravity seats, providing comfort for the driver and front passenger. The low window sills and slim dashboard offered excellent forward visibility. The Sentra's trunk space measured 14.3 cubic feet, with a 60/40 split-folding rear bench seat for accommodating longer items.

The 2025 Toyota Camry's interior featured a heated steering wheel, power-adjustable front seats, and dual-zone climate control as standard on X grades. Heated and ventilated front seats were available options for XLE and XSE trims. The 2025 model introduced a panoramic moonroof for hybrid Camrys. While Toyota hadn't published interior dimensions, changes were expected to be minimal, with front-row legroom comparable to the 2024 Honda Accord Hybrid. Trunk space was estimated to remain around 15.1 cubic feet.

The 2024 Nissan Sentra offered functional tech but lagged behind some rivals. The base Sentra S featured a 7-inch touchscreen and a 4.2-inch instrument cluster display with analog gauges. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, but wireless versions were unavailable. The SV and SR models upgraded to an 8-inch touchscreen and a 7-inch instrument cluster display, along with a six-speaker audio system and SiriusXM compatibility. An eight-speaker Bose audio system was available with the Premium Package. While the Sentra's screens were well-integrated, the graphics appeared dated compared to competitors.

The 2025 Toyota Camry came standard with an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen running the Toyota Audio Multimedia system, featuring wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It supported simultaneous Bluetooth connections with two smartphones and included a wireless charging pad and five USB ports. Higher trims offered a 12.3-inch touchscreen and a fully digital driver information display. A 10-inch head-up display and a nine-speaker JBL Premium Audio system were available for XLE and XSE trims. Subscription offerings included 4G Wi-Fi connectivity and Drive Connect, though voice recognition posed challenges during testing.

The 2024 Nissan Sentra's safety ratings were incomplete at press time. It received a "Good" rating in the IIHS' original side-impact crash test but only an "Acceptable" rating in the updated version. Front crash prevention scored "Advanced" in daytime testing but "Basic" at night. The Sentra's headlights received a "Poor" rating. NHTSA ratings were also incomplete, with five stars in rollover and side crash tests. The Sentra offered standard Nissan Safety Shield 360 features, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and more. SV and SR models added adaptive cruise control and an available 360-degree camera system.

The 2025 Toyota Camry came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, including blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, lane-tracing assist, and more. The Premium Plus Package added features like front cross-traffic alert, lane-change assist, and a panoramic view monitor. The Camry's lane-keeping assist system provided firm yet deferential guidance. While crash testing was incomplete, the 2024 Camry earned a Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS and performed well in NHTSA tests.